Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the UK: a national study (EuSCAPE-UK) on prevalence, incidence, laboratory detection methods and infection control measures.

Objectives: To estimate UK prevalence and incidence of clinically significant carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), and to determine epidemiological characteristics, laboratory methods and infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in acute care facilities.

Methods: A 6 month survey was undertaken in November 2013-April 2014 in 21 sentinel UK laboratories as part of the European Survey on Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (EuSCAPE) project. Up to 10 consecutive, non-duplicate, clinically significant and carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae were submitted to a reference laboratory.

Temocillin use in England: clinical and microbiological efficacies in infections caused by extended-spectrum and/or derepressed AmpC β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Background: Temocillin, a β-lactam stable against most β-lactamases [including extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and derepressed AmpC cephalosporinases (dAmpC)], has been suggested as an alternative to carbapenems when Pseudomonas can be excluded. Aims To assess temocillin clinical and microbiological cure rates (CCR and MCR) in infection caused by ESBL/dAmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae and the effects of different dosage regimens.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from patients treated for at least 3 days with temocillin for urinary tract infection (n = 42), bloodstream infection (n = 42) or hospital-acquired pneumonia (n = 8) in six centres in the UK.

Opportunistic protozoan diarrhoea.

In the developed world, a significant increase in the incidence of protozoan diarrhoea was observed following the AIDS epidemic. The profound immunodeficiency associated with advanced HIV disease produced increased susceptibility to opportunistic protozoan infections. The resultant profuse diarrhoea, malabsorption and weight loss contributed to the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with the epidemic.

PCR-ELISA: a new simplified tool for tracing the source of cryptosporidiosis in HIV-positive patients.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a major parasitic cause of death in end-stage AIDS patients that results from both zoonotic and person-to-person transmission. Recent studies have provided evidence that parasites causing zoonotic disease and those causing anthroponotic infection are genetically distinct. Isolates carrying "animal"-type genetic markers were presumed to be the result of zoonotic spread, either directly or through contaminated food and water.